Paper sheet handling machinery



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Filed July 26, 1954' PAPER SHEET HANDLxNG MACHINERY EEELEEE e sheds-sheet E w 4e i we, E i Y 45 FIG. 2b.

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' PAPER SHEET HANDLING MACHINERY Jam.. 2g, i958 Filed July 26, 1954 NVENTOR x QEGLNALD 5. FRY.

l BY f Y l A ATTORNEYS R. S. FRY

PAPER HANDLING MACHINERY Jan. 28, 1958 e sheets-sheet 5 Filed July 2e, '1954 44a 14cm 'm34 INVENTOR REamnLD' 5, FRY.

BY MT/QNEYS.

Jan. 28, 1958 I R. s. FRY

PAPER SHEET HANDLING MACHINERY Filed July 26. 1954 ECI;

lNVENTOR REGINALD S. FRI.

m3527450 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O PAPER SHEET HANDLING MACHINERY Reginald Stanley Fry, Letchworth, England, assignor to Camco (Machinery) Limited, Letchworth, England, a British company Application July 26, 1954, Serial No. 445,634

Claims priority, application Great Britain July 30, 1953 20 Claims. (Cl. 271-87) the main longitudinal direction of the machine, it Elias,k

proved difficult to arrange for the delivery of such signatures in a plurality of separate horizontal packs, one for each of the number of Vsignature delivery channels. The principal difficulty is the limited transverse distance between the plane of one delivered signature and the next, which distance limitation automatically imposes a severe 2,821,392 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 lCC lluenced by the particular transverse spacing positions of the various packs which are formed thereby thus facilitating the arrangement of the machine to accommodate a wide range of sheet sizes.

In order that the various features of the invention may be more readily understood one constructional embodiment thereof will now be described by way of illustrative example with reference to thefaccompanying drawings in which:

Figs. la and 1b are schematic plan views of the delivery end of a paper sheet folding machine of the type in which an initially applied `single paper sheet is both folded several times and also cut into a plurality of separate signatures which are delivered simultaneously in side-by-side relationship to their individual last fold stations.

Fig. 2 (a and b) is a fragmentary part-sectional side elevation of one of the last fold stations and its assolimit upon the length of an assembled pack of delivered signatures Ivvhi-ch can be accommodated before the original or starting end of one pack begins to foul the arrangements at the feeding-in end of the next adjacent pack. To reduce this difficulty it has already been proposed to dispose alternate packs extending transversely of the machine in a vertically spaced-apart manner, i. e. with one at a higher level than the other, and to use relatively complex chutes or like signature guiding means to convey the different delivered signatures from the last handling means, e. g. folding means, to the feeding-in end of the appropriate pack.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved construction by which such diculty is largely overcome or even completely avoided.

In accordance with the broadest aspect of the present invention the simultaneous downward delivery of the signature, at each of the final handling stations of a paper sheet handling machine, is arranged to take place into an individual receptacle which is then positively moved through 90 about a vertical axis to alter the plane occupied by the signature from one where it is parallel with the other similar signatures and the longitudinal direction of the machine to one which is at right angles to such longitudinal direction whereupon the various individual receptacles are opened to allow the passage of each signature to the feeding-in end of the related pack. ln this way all of the packs may be arranged at a common level and in side-by-side relationship without limit upon their individual lengths since they now extend lengthwise in directions parallel with each other and with the longitudinal direction of the machine.

Such an arrangement has the further advantage that, as the feeding-in ends of each of the separate packs can be arranged to be in aligned relationship in a common transverse plane for operation at common time instants, a simplified packer feed mechanism ofextended width and using a single set of cam or like operating devices can be provided while in addition such packer feed mechanismcan be so designed that it is not materially inythe aforesaid direction a.

ciated sheet delivery and packing arrangements of the machine shown in Figs. la and lb.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary part-sectional side elevational view of a part of the machine shown in Fig. 2, drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, while Fig. 5 is a fragmentary part-sectional plan view'of some of the parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring iirst to Fig. la, FM indicates in bare outline only and in plan view, the delivery end of a known type of paper sheet folding machine in which a single large paper sheet is folded several times along line-s disposed transversely to the side frames 13 and the longitudinal or main flow direction a of the machine to form a multi-leaf folded sheet FS which then passes through 'a rotary-knife slitting device RK by which the folded sheet FS is divided into a plurality, i. e. four in the particular example shown, of separate signatures S which 'then pass on to individual knife fold stations KF, one

for each signature S, where each of such signatures is folded along a mid-line m disposed parallel with the afore- Asaid direction a.

The knife fold stations KF each comprise, in the usual way, a pair of parallel rotating fold rolls 10 and a cooperating folder knife blade (not shown) for forcibly inserting the mid-region of each signature as a folded edge into the nip between the rolls 10 whereby the signature emerges, in folded form, in a vertically downwards direction beneath the rolls.

Referring now to Fig. lb, which is a plan view beneath the fold stations KF, and Where S again indicates the signatures, it will be seen that these are now located in vertical planes lying parallel with each other and with The signatures are in transverse alignment across the machine and if attempt is made to form the various signatures successively delivered from each fold station KF into the usual pack of abutting vertically disposed signatures it is obvious that the length of any pack Pl related to, at least, the inner signatures is limited tothe dimension PL since, with such length, the starting end se of one pack begins to foul the ments, one set for each pack which is to be formed, but

also to arrange for the operative positions of such packing elements to be adjustable.

The present invention provides an alternative solution 4to the problem by arranging that each signature S, as it is delivered from beneath its fold station or other device, is swung through an arc off90 whilst still maintained in` a substantially vertical, plane so that each of the signatures are then disposed in a common transverse plane as shown at t in Fig. lb. Packs P may now be formed with each of the delivered signatures in side-byside relationship with their length dimensions disposed parallel with the direction a and, in consequence, unlimited by any consideration of conliict with adjacent packs. In addition a single set of packer elements, eX- tending transversely across the machine may be used and no adjustments of these will be necessary with change of sheet size or the number of separated signatures.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate one only of the four separate but similar fold stations KF at the delivery end of the paper sheet folding machine together with the associated signature turning and packing arrangements according to the invention.

The fold station KF is constituted by a pair of rotatable rolls carried in parallel and side-by-side relationship in upstanding lugs 11a of an individual framework 11. This framework 11 (and each of the remaining three similar frameworks of the other fold stations KF) is slidably mounted upon transverse bearer bars 12 which extend between and are rigidly secured to the main side frames 13 of the machine. Such slidable mounting is provided to permit adjustment of the transverse position of each fold station whereby the fold plane defined by the vertical plane passing through the nip between the rolls 10, may be made to coincide with the required mid or fold line (m, Fig. la) of each of the related signatures S as they are delivered to the fold stations after previous slitting. Such signatures will, of course, be of varying widths according to the size of the initial sheet and in consequence the positioning, laterally across the machine, of the various fold planes will vary correspondingly.

T o facilitate adjustment of the slidable framework 11 it is furnished with dependent lugs 11b, 11e in which is journalled a spindle 14 lying parallel with the axes 0f the rolls 10 and carrying, adjacent each bearer bar 12, a pinion 15 secured thereto and in meshing engagement with a transverse rack bar 16 which is secured to a vertical face of the associated bearer bar 12. The spindle 14 is providedaty its most rearward end with a squared section 14a for the reception of an adjusting handle so that, by rotatingA the aforesaid spindle 14, the framework 11 and all of the parts carried thereby may be shifted along the transverse bearer bars 12 by the engagement of the pinions 15 with the associated fixed rack bars 16. Slots are provided in the vertical web of each bearer bar 12 at appropriate positions across the width of the machine to allow the passage therethrough of the spindles 14.

The rollers 10 are circumferentially grooved at intervals along their lengths to accommodate endless feed tapes 17 which pass around rollers 18 secured to parallel shafts 19 which are positioned below the associated rolls 10 and which are also journalled in the dependent lugs 11b, 11e of the frame work 11. The tapes 17 and associated rollers 18 constitute an individual tape feed device for conveying the folded signature S delivered from the fold rolls 10 vertically downwards into a signature receptacle indicated generally at 20.

The signature receptacle 20 comprises two nearly vertical plates 21, 22 disposed in side-by-side relationship so as to form a narrow V-section receptacle, the lower end of which is normally closed by the mutual engagement of the lowermost horizontal edges 23 of the plates 21, 22. Each of these plates 21, 22 is of somewhat greater depth than the width dimension of the largest signature capable of being handled and is of a horizontal length greater than half the maximum height dimension of any such signature. Each of the plates 21, 22 may be made of sheet metal but more preferably the plate 22 onlyv is made of sheet metal and the other plate 21 is made of nonmetallic material such as a resin-bonded laminated material, for instance, that known under the registered trademark Tufnol.

Plate 21 of the receptacle 20 is rigidly secured to lugs 21a integral with upper and lower collars 24, 25 respectively which are themselves rigidly connected to a vertically disposed spindle 26. The spindle 26 is freely journalled in bearing blocks 27 provided with off-set securing lugs 27a which are mounted upon the vertical face of a downwardly projecting bracket 28 which is itself rigidly secured to the under-side of the dependent lug 11e of the framework 11.

Plate 22 of the receptacle 20 has secured thereto a pair of bearing bosses 29 which are freely rotatable upon a horizontal pin 3l). This pin 30 is rigidly secured, at the end thereof lying adjacent the vertical spindle 26, within an outstanding lug portion 24a of the upper collar 24. The pin 30 has secured thereto, at a position between the two bearing bosses 29, a collar 32 having an integral and downwardly directed arm 32a which carries at its lowermost end a locating pin 32b entering within the turns of a helical compression spring 33 which is trapped between the aforesaid arm 32a and the outwardly facing surface of the adjacent plate 22. Such spring is stressed and operates so as resiliently to urge the lowermost horizontal edge 23 of the plate 22 into engagement with the corresponding edge 23 of the plate 21. The lowermost end of the plate 22 has secured thereto, near to its mid-point, a downwardly directed lug 34 within which is mounted an adjustable abutment screw 34u whose nose 34b projects towards the plane of the opposing plate 21. The plate 22 also carries, on its outer surface, an adjustable stop comprising a horizontal wire or rod 22a having its outer end 22b bent at right angles so as to lie across the mid-plane passing through the centre line of the receptacle 20. This wire 22a is clamped by a collar and a co-operating nut 22C whereby the position of the transverse end 22h may be adjusted, in the horizontal direction, to lie at any desired spacing distance from the nearest adjacent vertical edges of the plates 21, 22.

Secured lupon the spindle 26 in between the upper and lower bearing blocks 27 is a pinion 35 which is in constant meshing engagement with a rack-toothed vertical face of a block 36 which is slidably mounted between two vertically spaced transverse guide bars 37 which extend transversely across the machine and are secured to the opposing side main frames 1.3 parallel with the bearer bars 12. The inner, mutually facing, surfaces of such bars constitute a common horizontal slideway for each of the blocks 36 of the four separate mechanisms of the fold stations KF. Gn the vertical side lying opposite that provided with rack teeth the slide block 36 is provided with a horizontally directed lug 38 which projects through a horizontal slot 28a in the bracket 28 and carries at its free end, a cam follower roller 39. This cam follower roller 39 works within the appropriately contoured circumferential cam groove 40a formed around the periphery of a rotary cam 40. The cam 40 (and the other similar cams of the other devices) is carried upon a transverse cam shaft 41 rotatably mounted in appropriate bearing portions 42 of the aforesaid downwardly projecting bracket 28. The cam member 40 is trapped between the two adjacent portions 42 whereby such cam is automatically moved transversely with the framework 11 during any lateral adjustment of the position of the latter. To permit such lateral adjustment movement, while retaining the necessary driving connection with the cam shaft 41, the cam member is provided with a key-way engaged by an elongated slide key 43 carriedV in the peripheral surface of the shaft 41. The cam shaft 41 is in driving connection, by means not shown, with the main drive of the associated folding machine whereby it makes one revolution for each operation ofthe last fold stations KF. 'i

Secured to the lower bearing block 27' is a stop arm 44 which comprises a downwardly directed limb 44a followed by a horizontal and longitudinally directed limb 44b and terminating in a transversely directed horizontal limb 44C. The free end of this terminating limb 44e is provided with an abutment surface 44d positioned to engage the nose 34h of the abutment screw 34a carried by the plate 21 during the operation of the device as will now be described.

The operation of the mechanism so far described is as follows. A signature S, delivered in the direction of the arrow a from the preceding parts of the associated machine, arrives over the two fold rolls and is then caused to be folded by the usual downward movement of a knife fold blade (not shown) whereby the mid-line of the arriving signature is caused to enter and be gripped in the nip between the rolls 10. The signature is thus folded and is delivered downwards with its fold edge in leading position to between the opposing tapes 17 which continue to pass the folded signature in a vertically downward direction and eventually deliver it into the receptacle 20 constituted by the plates 21, 22. At this time the receptacle is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5, i. e. with its median plane between the plates 21, 22 coincident with the plane of the abutting portions of the tapes 17 and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the machine and with the original delivery direction a. The receptacle 20 is, furthermore, at this time closed at its lowermost end by the action of the spring 33 upon the movable plate 22 whereby the latter is forced into rm contact with the opposing lower edge of the opposite plate 21. The signature is accordingly retained in the receptacle 20.

With the signature thus delivered to and held within the receptacle 20, the continued operation of the machine and the consequential rotation. of cam shaft 41 causes rotation of the cam 40 to produce a transverse lateral movement of the roller 39 from left to right as shown in Fig. 5 due to the contour of the cam groove 40a. The resultant transverse sliding movement of the block 36 between the guide bars 37 imparts rotational movement to the pinion 35 and consequential rotation of the attached spindle 26 through approximately 90 whereby the receptacle 20' is swung bodily through a corresponding angle from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5 to that shown in chain-dotted lines in the same iigures. In its altered position the receptacle 20 now lies with its median plane disposed transversely of the machine, i. e. parallel to the transverse cam shaft 41 and bearer bars 12.

As the receptacle 20 nears this transversely disposed position the nose 34hl of the abutment screw 34a carried at the lower end of the movable plate 22 comes into engagement with the abutment surface 44d of the stop arm 44 and arrests the lower end of the plate22. The small amount of continued further rotational movement of the spindle 26 to complete the 90 swing of the receptacle 20 causes the plate 22 to execute a slight rocking movement upon the horizontal pin 30 by which it is carried from the collar 24 so that the lower edges 23 of the plates 21, 22 become separated. The receptacle 20 is thus opened to allow the signature S resting therein to fall vertically downwards into the subsequent packer mechanism which will be described later. The subsequent continued rotation of cam shaft 41 then returns the various parts to their original positions by virtue of the continued rotation of cam 40 producing reverse movement of the slide block 36 back to the original position as shown in Fig. 5 with accompanying rotational movement of pinion 35 and spindle 26. Immediately the receptacle 20 begins to swing back to its original position the abutment screw 34a disengages from the abutment face 44d on the stop arm 44 and the receptacle 20 again closes.`

The adjustable stop wire 22a serves, by its end 22b, to limit any outward throw of the trapped signature S which occurs during the rapid swinging motion of the receptacle 20 from the position shown in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5 to that shown in chain dotted lines in the same gures, whereby the outwardly directed vertical edge of the trapped signature S is always disposed at a predetermined vertical position at the time when it is released to commence its vertically downward movement into the subsequent sheet stacking mechanism. In this way the resultant stack is formed with the vertical edges of the signatures in neat alignment with each other.

The signature packer mechanism to which the signatures from the receptacle 20 are delivered comprises a horizontal platform 50 which is mounted at one end upon a plurality of columns 51 and associated brackets 52 carried upon a transverse rock shaft 53 journalled at each end in bearing supports 53a secured to the main side frames 13 and supported at its opposite end (not shown) by suitable feet or the like. The forward edge 54 of the platform is provided with a plurality of notches 54a or equivalent spaces for receiving a plurality of spaced and alternating upstanding prong-like elements 55, 56 carried respectively upon transverse bars 57, 58.

The bar 57 carrying the prong elements 55 is secured to the upwardly directed arms 59a of spaced levers 59 secured upon the rock shaft 53. A further lever arm 59b also secured to the rock shaft 53 is connected to a link 60 whose opposite end is provided with a cam follower roller, not shown, controlled by a suitably contoured cam on a driving shaft of the machine, also not shown, whereby the link 60 is reciprocated at suitable times in the direction of the arrows x once for each operation of the fold stations KF to cause the prong elements 55 to move substantially horizontally backwards and forwards in a manner which will be described in detail later.

The bar 58 carrying the prong elements 56 is secured at each end to lever arms 62 which are pivoted upon a horizontal shaft (not shown) carried between the side frames 13. These lever arms 62 are also associated'v with cam follower mechanism controlled by a cam on the same driving shaft as that controlling the link 60 whereby said arms 62 are adapted to be oscillated once in suitable timing relationship -to each operation of the fold stations KF in the direc-tions of the arrow y whereby such prong elements alternately disappear below and rise above the level of the platform 50. The prong elements 56 are each provided with an upwardly projecting and divergent tongue 56a forming, in conjunction with the associated prong element 56, a V-shaped fork into which the signature discharged from -the receptacle 20 initially falls.

The operation of the packer mechanism is as follows. Upon separation of the plates 21, 22 of the receptacle 20, the signature S previously trapped therein falls downwardly into the fork-shaped space provided between those of the various prong elements 56 and their attached tongues 56a which happen to lie beneath such falling signature. It will be understood that a similar event takes place simultaneously with each of the other fold stations KF which are spaced at intervals across the transverse width of the machine. All of the separated and now turned signatures S are therefore delivered simultaneously to the common packer mechanism. i

The lever arms 62 are then caused, by the associated cam mechanism, to move downwardly whereby each delivered signature is lowered to bring its folded horizontal lowermost edge into contact with the platform 50 whereafter the prongs 56 and tongues 56a continue to be lowered and are eventually withdrawn below the level of the platform 50. The delivered signature is thus left with its outwardly facing surface lying adjacent to but not necessarily touching the end surface of the last previously delivered signature already in the main pack P. Conjointly with this operation of the prong elements 56 the prong elements 55 are moved to the right as shown in Fig'. 2 so that, as the prong elements 56 disappear beneath the level of the platform 50, the prong elements S take their place in support of the delivered signature at the feeding-in end fe of the pack P. The movement of such prong elements 55 towards the right is continued until the pack P with the newly added signature at the feedingin face thereof, has been pressed sufficiently to the right for the prong elements 56 to return upwardly without risk of fouling the last delivered signature. Such prong elements 56 thereupon move upwardly to return to the full line position shown in Fig. 2 and conjointly therewith the prong elements SS retreat leftwise again to occupy the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5 in readiness for a repetition of events at the next packing operation.

The above described packer mechanism comprising the prong elements 55, 56 is constructed as a unitary device ex-tending across the full transverse width of the platform 50 since the operation thereof is in no way affected by the particular transverse positions upon such platform 50 where the four or other number of separate packs P are required to be formed in dependence upon the transversely adjusted positions of the various frameworks 11 and the consequential change of position of the signatures delivered from the associated receptacles 20. The posi tions of said frameworks 11 and of the delivery position of the Various signatures are, of course, determined by the width of the single sheet initially fed to the folding machine and the number of parts into which it is divided prior to the last folding operation by the rolls and also according to whether, by means of known mechanism disposed above alternate pairs of rolls 10, provision is made for transverse feeding of certain cut signatures so that they -lie on top of the next adjacent signature immediately prior to the operation of the related knife fold into the nip of the rolls 10 whereby a double signature unit is provided at each alternate fold station instead of a single folded signature at each fold station.

As the plurality, e. g. four in the present instance, separate packs P related to the separate fold stations from which they receive their input signatures S are directed so as to extend their length rearwardly, i. e. in the same longitudinal direction a as the main machine frame, there is no reasonable restriction upon the lengths of the packs which are formed.

Although the invention has been particularly described with relation to a paper sheet folding and slitting machine of specialised type, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that it is readily capable of application to other forms of machine of similar character where the problem of accommodating a plurality of stacks from signatures which are delivered simultaneously from a plurality of points while lying with their respective planes parallel with each other, occurs.

I claim:

l. For a paper handling machine of the kind in which a plurality of paper sheet articles are transmitted simultaneously in downwardly directed paths which lie in mutually parallel and spaced apart vertical planes, a delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate receptacles, one for each of said transmitted article paths, each of said receptacles including controlled discharge means for discharging said article therefrom and having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement about a vertical axis, means for producing swinging movement of each of said receptacles from a first position which is in alignment with the transmission path of the related article to a second position which is angularly displaced with respect to said first position and means for operating said controlled discharge means when said receptacle is in said second position to cause discharge of said article from said receptacle in a plane angularly displaced from thatl of its transmission path.

2. For a paper sheet handling machine of the kind in which a plurality of separate signatures are transmitted simultaneously in downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in mutually parallel but spaced apart vertical planes, a delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receptacles, one for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles having controlled closure means, an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a rst position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said first position, means for producing swinging movement of each of said receptacles from said first position to said second position and means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles upon arrival of the latter at said second position to cause downward discharge of a signature from said receptacle in a vertical plane lying at right angles to that of its transmission path.

3. For a paper sheet handling machine of the kind in which a plurality of separate signatures are transmitted simultaneously in aligned downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in mutually parallel and spaced apart vertical planes, a delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receiving receptacles, one for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles having controlled closure means, side walls` an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement of the receptacle about a vertical axis between a first position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said first position and in which each of said receptacles is aligned in a common plane, means for producing swinging movement of each of said receptacles from said first position to said second position and means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles upon arrival of the iatter at said second position to cause downward discharge of the signatures from each of said receptacles in a common vertical plane disposed at right angles to said signature transmission paths.

4. In a paper sheet handling machine of the kind in which a plurality of separate signatures are transmitted simultaneously in downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in aligned mutually parallel and spaced apart vertical planes, a signature delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receptacles, one for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles having controlled closure means, an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a rst position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said first position means for producing controlled swinging movement of each of said receptacles between said first position and said second position subsequent to the transmission of said signatures into said receptacles and means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles when the latter arrive at said second position to cause downward discharge of the signatures from said receptacles in a common vertical plane lying at right angles to that of said transmission paths.

5. In a paper sheet handling machine of the kind having longitudinal main side frames and in which a plurality of separate signatures are transmitted simultaneously in downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in spaced apart vertical planes each parallel with said main side frames, a signature delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receptacles, one

9 for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles having controlled closure means, an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a first position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said first position and in which each of said receptacles is aligned in a common plane disposed transversely to said main side frames, controlled means for causing swinging movement of each of said receptacles simultaneously from said rst position to said second position subsequent to the transmission of said signatures into said receptacles and means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles upon arrival of the latter at said second position to cause simultaneous downward dischargeof said signatures from said receptacles in said common Vertical transverse plane.

6. In a paper sheet handling machine of the kind having longitudinal main side frames and in which a plurrality of separate signatures are transmitted simultaneously in downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in spaced apart vertical planes each parallel with said main side frames, a signature delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receptacles, one for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles having controlled closure means, an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mounting means for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a iirst position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said first position and in which each of said receptacles is aligned in a common plane disposed transversely to said main sideframes, controlled means for causing swinging movement of each of said receptacles simultaneously from said first position to said second position subsequent to the transmission of said signatures into said receptacles, means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles upon arrival of the latter at said second position to cause simultaneous downward discharge of said signatures from said receptacles in said common vertical transverse plane and a common signature packer mechanism disposed below said signature receptacles with its signature receiving plane coincident with said common vertical transverse plane.

7. A signature delivery arrangement for a paper handling machine comprising horizontal linearly directed bearer means, a plurality of separate signature receptacles mounted at aligned but spaced apart positions on said bearer means, each of said receptacles including walls defining a vertically directed signature chamber open at its upper end and having normally closed discharge means at its lower end for retaining said signature, each of said receptacles being pivotally mounted on said bearer means for swinging movement about a vertical axis, means for producing simultaneous swinging movement of each of said receptacles from a iirst position in which the respective planes of said receptacles are at right angles to the linear direction of said bearer means and a second position where the respective planes of said receptacles are displaced by a common predetermined angle with respect to said iirst position and means for operating said discharge means of each of said signature receptacles when they are in said second position.

8. A signature delivery arrangement for a paper handling machine comprising horizontal linearly directed bearer means, a plurality of support frameworks movably carried on said bearer means, a separate signature receptacle pivotally mounted on each of said support frameworks for swinging movement about a vertical axis, each of said receptacles including walls dening a vertically directed signature chamber open at its upper end and having normally closed discharge means at its lower end, common operating means for producing simultaneous swinging movement of each of said receptacles from a rst position in which each receptacle is at right angles to the linear direction of said horizontal bearer means to a second position where each receptacle is parallel with the linear direction of said bearer means and means for operating said discharge means of each receptacle to open the lower end thereof when such receptacle is in said second position.

9. A signature delivery arrangement for a paper handling machine comprising a pair of linear spaced-apart horizontal bearer bars, a plurality of support frameworks extending between and slidably mounted on said bearer bars at spaced positions therealong, a separate signature receiving receptacle pivotally mounted on each of said support frameworks for movement bodily about a vertical axis between a first position where said signature receptacle lies at right angles to said bearer bars and a second position where said receptacle is parallel with said bearer bars, controlled signature retaining means on each of said receptacles for retaining a signature therein and means for operating said retaining means to release said signature when said receptacle is in said second position.

l0. A signature delivery arrangement for a paper handling machine comprising a pair of spaced horizontal bearer bars, a plurality of separate support frameworks slidably mounted on said bearer bars at spaced apart positions along the latter, a plurality of signature receiving receptacles, one for each of said support-frameworks, each of said receptacles comprising walls defining a vertically directed signature chamber open at its upper end and having a normally closed discharge means at its lower end for retaining a signature therein, each of said receptacles being pivotally mounted on its related support framework for swinging movement bodily about a vertical axis, an operating shaft extending parallel to said bearer bars, means operated by said operating shaft for effecting simultaneous swinging movement of each of said receptacles about its pivotal axis from a first position where said receptacle is disposed at right angles to said bearer bars to a second position where said receptacle is parallel with said bearer bars and means for operating said controlled discharge means of each of said receptacles to open the latter at its lower end to permit discharge of a signature therefrom when said receptacle is in said second position.

ll. A signature delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of support frameworks, means for supporting each of said frameworks at aligned spaced apart positions on a plurality of signature receiving receptacles mounted one on each of said support frameworks for swinging movement about a vertical axis between a first and n second position, each ot' said receptacles comprising two plates disposed in side-by-side relationship and downwardly convergent towards their mutually contacting lower edge regions, at least one of said plates of eacb of said receptacles being movable to open the lower end of said chamber and means for separating said plates of each of said signature receiving receptacles to release a signature therein when such receptacle is in said second position.

l2. For a paper sheet folding machine which includes a inal fold station arranged to deliver a plurality of separate signatures simultaneously in aligned downwardly directed paths which lie respectively in mutually parallel and spaced apart vertical planes, a signature delivery arrangement comprising a plurality of separate signature receptacles, one for each of said transmitted signature paths, each of said receptacles defining a narrow vertically directed chamber having controlled closure means, an open upper end and a lower end normally closed by said controlled closure means and each having pivotal mount- 11 ing means for swinging movement about a vertical axis at one side of said chamber between a first position where said open upper end is in alignment with the transmission path of the related signature and a second position which is at right angles to said rst position, means for producing controlled simultaneous swinging movement of each of said receptacles from said rst position to said second position, means for operating said controlled closure means of each of said receptacles when the latter arrive at said second position to cause simultaneous downward discharge of the signatures from said receptacles in a common vertical plane lying at right angles to that of said transmission paths and a common packer mechanism disposed below said receptacles with its signature receiving plane coincident with said common vertical plane.

13. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 12 in which each signature receptacle comprises rst and second at plates mounted in side-by-side relationship, said plates being downwardly convergent towards their lower edges.

14. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 13 iu which said rst plate is pivotally mounted on a vertical spindle and the second of said plates is hingedly supported on said lirst plate, said second plate being provided with means for resiliently urging its lower edge into contact with the lower edge of said first plate.

15. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 14 in which said second plate is hingedly supported on said rst plate for rotation about a horizontal axis parallel with and adjacent to the upper edge ot' said first plate.

16. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 15 which includes a normally stationary supporting framework for each of said signature receptacles, said supporting framework including support means for said vertical spindle and a xed stop and said second plate having a projecting abutment for engagement with said xed stop when said receptacle is moved into said second position.

17. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 16 in which said `signature receptacle is rigidly secured to said vertical spindle and which includes a pinion secured to each of said spindles, a separate reciprocable rack-toothed member in engagement with each of said pinions and means for simultaneously reciprocating each of said rack-toothed members to impart simultaneous swinging movement to each of said receptacles.

18. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 17 in which said means for reciprocating said rack-toothed members comprises a rotatable shaft, a plu rality of rotary cams, one for each receptacle and each having a contoured peripheral groove therein and a cam follower roller secured to each of said reciprocable racletoothed members in engagement with `said groove in the related rotary cam.

19, A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 18 which includes linearly directed horizontal bearer members for mounting each of said supporting frameworks along a common line and in which each of said supporting frameworks is mounted for independent transverse adjustment of position along said horizontal bearer members,

20. A signature delivery arrangement according to claim 19 in which said rotatable shaft is disposed parallel to said horizontal bearer members, in which each of said rotary cams is mounted in a freely rotatable but axially immovable manner in its related supporting framework and is slidable along said rotatable shaft and which includes means for maintaining rotational driving connection between each of said rotary cams and said rotatable shaft.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 868,258 Farnham Oct. 15, 1907 870,501 Farnham Nov. 5, 1907 1,041,808 King Oct. 22, 1912 2,307,822 Clegg Jan. 12, 1943 2,759,203 Kramer Apr. 21, 1956 

